The Detroit Tigers called up outfield prospect Max Clark from Triple-A Toledo and scratched starting pitcher Casey Mize ahead of the July 31 trade deadline. Clark made his major league debut batting seventh and playing center field against the Athletics in West Sacramento, bringing the organization’s top 2023 draft picks to the majors.
The Detroit Tigers shook up their roster ahead of the trade deadline, promoting 21-year-old outfielder Max Clark from Triple-A Toledo on Friday. The move coincided with the front office pulling starting pitcher Casey Mize from his scheduled start against the Athletics in West Sacramento as the organization weighs potential deadline deals.
Clark, selected third overall in the 2023 amateur draft out of Franklin Community High School in Franklin, Indiana, joins an active roster that already features fellow top 2023 draft pick Kevin McGonigle. With Clark’s arrival, Detroit’s top two selections from that draft class are now in the big leagues together.
Max Clark Arrives After Breakthrough July in Triple-A
Prior to Friday night’s game, Clark batted .276 with 11 home runs, 42 RBIs, and 21 stolen bases across 90 games for Toledo. Detroit manager A.J. Hinch noted that the young outfielder forced the front office’s hand.
“He was killing it in Triple-A. Had one of the most impressive Julys in Toledo. We’ve been watching his development all season, step by step. He’s really earned it. I think there’s not much more he needed to do there to show his readiness. Now we’re going to give him the next challenge, which is up here in the big leagues.”
A.J. Hinch, Detroit Tigers manager
Clark’s promotion puts him in the starting lineup as Detroit’s everyday center fielder. The team’s other 2023 standout, shortstop Kevin McGonigle—selected 37th overall—is batting .285 with nine homers, 37 RBIs, and an .806 OPS, having earned an All-Star selection on July 14.
Casey Mize Scratched Precautionally Ahead of Trade Deadline
While Clark steps into the outfield, Casey Mize’s immediate future remains uncertain as the Tigers navigate a 51-58 record and intense trade deadline speculation. Mize was scheduled to pitch Friday’s series opener against the Athletics, but the front office intervened to protect their asset.
The organization executed a similar cautionary maneuver with Jack Flaherty in 2024. Mize, the former No. 1 overall pick in 2018, is 4-6 with a 2.70 ERA and 3.0 WAR across 16 starts this season. He is eligible for free agency following the World Series.
“It’s a weird place to be. I feel like I’m in limbo a little bit. I’m still obviously fully committed to this organization and this team. But for the ball to literally be taken out of my hands is a weird place to be. We’ll see what the weekend holds and if nothing happens, I’ll pitch on Tuesday and we’ll go from there. But it’s certainly a strange position to be in.”
Casey Mize, Detroit Tigers starting pitcher
No deal involving Mize was finalized on Friday afternoon. If the right-hander remains in Detroit past the Monday deadline, he is slated to take the mound on Tuesday, August 4, for the series opener against the Seattle Mariners.
Bullpen Day Covers Series Opener Against the Athletics
Hinch turned to a bullpen game to cover the opening contest in West Sacramento. Relief options such as Ty Madden and Tyler Holton emerged as candidates to handle early frames.
Framber Valdez and Keider Montero remain scheduled to make their normal starts in the second and third games of the series. Meanwhile, the spotlight rests heavily on Tarik Skubal, who headlines trade discussions as the August 3 deadline approaches.